Update: Submit Prayer & Praise through Prayer @ OTB
We have now set it up to where you can now submit prayer request and praise reports through the Prayer @ OTB site itself.
Head over to the site and look at the top line and click accordingly for Ask for Prayer or Give Thanks.
Thank you guys for submitting your prayers in so that we can come alongside to pray with you. We pray to our God because He alone is good, merciful, kind, sweet, loving and sovereign.
We are reminded in Romans 8:28 that He will use all things, good and evil, righteous and sin, work together for our good, those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Don’t Stop Giving Thanks To God
Leviticus 7:12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.
Leviticus 7:13 With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving he shall bring his offering with loaves of leavened bread.
Leviticus 7:15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning.
Leviticus 22:29 And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted.
1 Chronicles 16:7 Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.
1 Chronicles 16:8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:35 Say also: “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.
1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 25:3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 5:13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,
2 Chronicles 7:3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
2 Chronicles 7:6 The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the Lord that King David had made for giving thanks to the Lord—for his steadfast love endures forever—whenever David offered praises by their ministry; opposite them the priests sounded trumpets, and all Israel stood.
2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
2 Chronicles 30:22 And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 31:2 And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise.
2 Chronicles 33:16 He also restored the altar of the Lord and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.
Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
Nehemiah 11:17 and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader of the praise, who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
Nehemiah 12:8 And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his brothers was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.
Nehemiah 12:24 And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers who stood opposite them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, watch by watch.
Nehemiah 12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.
Nehemiah 12:31 Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall to the Dung Gate.
Nehemiah 12:38 The other choir of those who gave thanks went to the north, and I followed them with half of the people, on the wall, above the Tower of the Ovens, to the Broad Wall,
Nehemiah 12:40 So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half of the officials with me;
Nehemiah 12:46 For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 7:17 I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 26:7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 30:4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
Psalm 30:12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Psalm 33:2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Psalm 44:8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
Psalm 50:14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
Psalm 50:23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalm 54:6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.
Psalm 57:9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 75:1 We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.
Psalm 79:13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
Psalm 95:2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Psalm 97:12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Psalm 105:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 106:47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 107:22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Psalm 108:3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
Psalm 109:30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
Psalm 111:1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Psalm 116:17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 118:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
Psalm 118:28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
Psalm 118:29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 122:4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 138:1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
Psalm 138:2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
Psalm 138:4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth,
Psalm 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.
Psalm 142:7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
Psalm 145:10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!
Psalm 147:7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
Isaiah 12:1 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
Isaiah 12:4 And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
Isaiah 38:19 The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.
Isaiah 51:3 For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Jeremiah 30:19 Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small.
Jeremiah 33:11 the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: “‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.
Daniel 2:23 To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”
Daniel 6:10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Amos 4:5 offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel!” declares the Lord God.
Jonah 2:9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
Matthew 15:36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
Matthew 26:27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
Mark 8:6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.
Mark 14:23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
Luke 2:38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 17:16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Luke 22:17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
John 6:23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
Acts 27:35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.
Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,
Romans 7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 14:6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
Romans 16:4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
1 Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
1 Corinthians 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
1 Corinthians 11:24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 14:16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
1 Corinthians 14:17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2 Corinthians 4:15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 1:3
Thanksgiving and Prayer I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Colossians 1:3
Thanksgiving and Prayer We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Colossians 2:7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
1 Thessalonians 3:9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
1 Timothy 4:3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
1 Timothy 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
Revelation 4:9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
Revelation 7:12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 11:17 saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.
Please Pray….
A few evenings ago, my wife and I decided to have a prayer night. We wanted to approach the Lord’s throne with some of our specific questions and concerns, as well as seek His vision for us. But God had another idea. What we heard that night was not what we expected. As we prayed, God led our prayers to focus on a specific country, which God had recently laid on my wife’s heart.
The country: Tajikistan. Ever heard of that one before? Well, their government is trying to close all doors to Christianity—and make it very hard to have religious freedom. In fact, if their president decides to pass a particular law this month, the government will be even harsher in enforcing strict punishment on those caught holding church meetings in their homes, or telling anyone about Jesus.
Next to Tajikistan, is a country called Kazakhstan, whose Christians are also facing persecution. In December 2008 they proposed a law that anyone caught worshiping, teaching about God, praying, doing charitable work, etc. would be charged a fine fifty times their month salary. Fifty times!!! I don’t know about you, but I know I couldn’t afford that.
As we were praying, my heart started to break. All I could see, in my heart, was a call for: hope, strength, life, faith, and love.
In America, we should consider ourselves fortunate to be able to freely worship, praise, and spread the news about our Lord.
So why don’t we use our freedom more often? Why do we have so much trouble talking about Jesus Christ in America? Are we afraid that something is going to happen?
I sit and wrestle over, chew on, fight with, and cry about the fact that I get scared to share the gospel sometimes. For what!! Why am I scared? Why do I care what people think about me anyway?
I pray I have the courage to stand up and be brave like these persecuted Christians. I want to be a “Jesus Freak”—Sold out to no one but Jesus Christ Himself.
I want to leave you with some things for your spirit to feast on. Below I have included a sermon by John Piper. Please listen to it and let it soak in.
Also, take a look at the links that are included. There is some amazing information about what other Christians are facing around the world and what you can do to help. Most importantly, remember to pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
Blessings
Get Involved - Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Thought for the day….Blinking Lights, Empty Streets, and Puffy Eyes
Why is there a school zone on the road between two grocery stores, a Blockbuster and a dry cleaner? I don’t even recall where a school could possibly be in this “school zone.” Maybe it’s a secret school that meets at the car wash-or in the abandoned shopping center?
I’ve never cried while receiving a traffic citation (aka a ticket) before. Yes, afterwards, sure-but never in front of a police officer! Not until today.
Apparently, I was going 35 in this particular “school zone.”
I had to blink back the tears and choke back the swelling lump in my throat as I answered, “I didn’t know it was a school zone there, Sir. I slowed down as soon as I saw the blinking school zone lights.”
The officer was kind enough to inform me that I’d passed two sets of blinking lights before slowing down at the third blinking light. Bummer.
Oh, that’s why everyone was driving so slowly. Why did I decide to take different route to work this morning?
“It’s for the children’s sake, you know.” The officer kindly reminded after handing me the citation. Children? Where? I thought. I glanced both ways (in my minds’ eye of course) and the streets were empty. Sure, Mr. Officer was sitting in the parking lot of the dry cleaners clocking cars at 7:30 in the morning for the sake of “the children.” These children apparently haven’t gotten the memo that there is a school zone there and that they should make use of it.
Honestly, by the end of the dialogue with the officer I was practically sobbing. Not that he was rude; in fact, I think he started to feel bad for me (though not bad enough to give me a warning).
This ticket was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. I know that the reason the tears came so easily was because of multiple other situations going on in my life right now. And finally all my stresses, all my worries, all my frustrations just spilled out in front of the poor, unsuspecting officer.
This? On top of everything else going on?? A ticket and the ensuing fines are the last thing I need.
I cried the whole way to work. My eyes were puffy and my makeup was hopeless. Life isn’t going the way I’d planned right now. And everything seemed to hit the fan all at once.
It’s easy for me to be happy and grateful when things are going my way. I’ll gladly thank God for His blessing and favor if Michael and I get a little more money than expected, or if my bosses notice something they like about what I’m doing and reward me for it, or when gifts just drop out of the sky into our laps.
But how about when there isn’t much money there… when each day brings another uncertainty… when I get a ticket… when there are deadlines we’re only going to make with a hope and a prayer… when major decisions hang in the balance… Can I still thank God for His goodness, for his blessing? Do I still trust Him?
I had better! I mean, isn’t that when it really counts? Isn’t that what really makes up the whole TRUST part of TRUST. If I thank God only when something that I define as good happens… then really, aren’t I actually just praising the good thing itself? God forbid that I love the gift more than I love Him-the giver of all good things.
So, I praise God. Yes, I praise Him even on this day when I got a ticket and even though I don’t hold all the answers to my life in the palm of my hand. I praise Him for no other reason than He is good and worthy of my praise. I belong to Him and I am loved by Him. And I trust that He will continue to be faithful ALWAYS because that is who He is.
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16 (NLT).
Really?
First, a little background: the launch of this website about a month ago corresponded loosely with the beginning of a local, small group bible study involving the five of us and a few other people that God has brought together. I’ve been privileged and blessed with the ability to lead a time of worship music at the beginning of each of our meetings. I should also mention that this is really the first time in my life that I’ve been allowed to lead worship on a recurring basis for a group of my peers. I’ve been learning so much through the experience that I could probably fill an entire other site just on these last five weeks, but there is one lesson that has been slowly pushing at the edges of my consciousness, which I shall here attempt to elucidate further.
As I sit here and try to give form to my thoughts, one phrase stands out: It’s REALLY not about you (spoken as if from someone else to me, so that the word “you” really means “me” and…now I’m just being confusing, but you get the point…)
“Seriously?!” I sit here and think, “That’s today’s great revelation?! Something so simple? It’s not about me?”
“No,” Daddy gently reminds me, “I said ‘it’s REALLY not about you.’”
For so long, I’ve used that phrase, sans the emphasized word, as almost a catch phrase or mantra…one of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, alluding to our utter worthlessness apart from Christ and how we as humans are likened to common pots that He chooses to fill with His power and grace. All that is great if you’re engaging in a theo-philosophical debate about the sin-nature of man, or even if you’re pondering just how great God truly is. It’s a fantastic bit of book-learning that, when I first became convinced of it, revolutionized the way I thought about God and His interactions with me. He’s been using this bible study group, though, to truly show me this concept; He’s been showing off this (seemingly to me) crazy ability He has to move and to touch peoples’ lives not just through me, but in spite of me.
The more I get to lead worship for this group, the more I realize how unfit for the task I am. Last night I enumerated a list of all the things running through my head while leading:
- the next guitar chord
- the chord after that
- current lyrics
- vocal melody
- what verse comes next?
- are the others singing? do they know the song?
- are they engaged in worship?
- can i get away with one more bridge, or should I do one fewer chorus?
- gotta keep my eyes open — attempt to connect with the others
- worship….
Yeah, this is one thing I realized: my own acts/thoughts of worship tend to dangle down at about 10th on the priority list, WHILE I’M PURPORTEDLY LEADING WORSHIP, even being, as some have used the term, a lead worshipper! A Levite who goes before the Ark of God’s Presence with singing and dancing and praising, while focusing more on the actual singing and dancing than on the nearby presence of God!
Plainly put, I lose. When it all comes down, I’m doing everything almost exactly backwards. I’m screwing up and failing, and what’s more, I’m failing while leading, which means (to the natural-thinking side of my brain) that people are probably following my failure.
But then, as we’re all talking after the group ends, it seems like at least half the people in the group make the effort to come tell me how awesome they thought worship was, how it, every week, shifts their whole perspective on the group, how they feel like heaven stops just to hear our group singing praises…then I realize that somehow, for all my shortcomings, for all my wrong notes and forgotten words, these people who come and sing with me each week are meeting with God through the process!
Let me say now a quick thank you to all in that group. Thank you for your words of affirmation. Thank you for showing up each week with hearts expectant to receive from the Lord. Thank you for giving me the chance to continue learning and growing in this thing we call leading worship. Father God, thank You for blessing me with this group of friends. Thank You for using me in spite of me, and for continuing to teach me that it’s really all about You.
Any other worship leaders reading this: any advice on methods of worrying less on the technical aspects of the craft and more on engaging with God? Having written that, I suspect the answer may be something related to simply not worrying a la Matthew 6. I’m also thinking that it is something to come with time and practice. Thank God that He has lots of grace to give while I learn, and that there’s always something new to learn, and lots of grace to go with it! 
